Kānepu‘u Preserve

Why You Should Visit

Kānepu‘u Preserve represents the best remaining example of native dryland forest that once covered vast areas of Hawai‘i’s lowlands. The preserve protects remnants of a rare of native ebony (lama) and olive (olopua) dryland forest, along with several unique plant species, including the endangered native sandalwood (‘iliahi) and Hawaiian gardenia (nā‘ū). Major threats to the preserve’s native wildlife are introduced game animals (axis deer and mouflon sheep), rapid soil erosion, wildfire and a variety of invasive weeds, including Christmas berry, lantana, scarlet sage and molasses grass.

Public Access

A self-guided interpretive trail with beautifully illustrated and informative signs is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The trail has a self-closing gate and is located in the 368-acre Kānepu‘u unit of the preserve along the road to Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods).

What to See: Plants

The dryland native forest at Kanepuu is dominated by lama and olopua trees, along with native plants species such as ʻohe makai, ʻahakea, ʻālaʻa and ʻaiea. The four endangered plant species within the preserve are the nāʻū, a native gardenia; sandalwood or ʻiliahi; Bonamia menziesii; and the maʻo hau hele, a native hibiscus.

What to See: Animals

Two native birds frequent Kānepuʻu Preserve: the pueo, or short-eared owl, and the kōlea, or Pacific golden-plover. Eleven non-native birds are also found here, along with numerous native land snails and insects.